WHITESTONE CUSTOM HOMES

We were very excited about the floor plan, neighborhood, and initial feeling of comfort that they were an exceptional builder. As we went along in the process, we learned they cut corners, make promises, and use the same folk who can swing a hammer like everyone else and do not do quality work (lacking attention to detail, every detail). There are built in meetings with the buyer and Forman to review and approve different stages in the process, but having not built a home before, we were at a loss and left to their guidance and direction. Of course, everything we questioned, the Forman always had an answer disputing our question or request and explained why we were misinformed or didn't understand the home building process. As we would later find out, there are numerous items we would have elected to have, not have, or ensure installed if we had known those options were available, they would have slowed their build progress and not be so quick to get to the next home site. Toward the end of the build, we ended up getting the standard model stuff, you can see from the enormous lack of detail as if they were in the "just get it done mode. Some of the items that should have been made obvious for consideration to our livability were: placement of light switches, placement of light fixtures, placement of light plugs, location of electrical sockets, un-needed change request (paid for), shower shelves, towel rack location, four sided plywood instead of the Thermo Ply (cheaper for them), and on and on. Since move in, we have had to re-do, add to, or change several items at our own additional expense. To date, some of the major items we've reinvested in are the yard (landscape), sprinkler system, and HVAC system since completion, in essence paying for these items twice in 3 years. The sub-contractors they use are atrocious. For example, the lawn was planted with plants without any consideration given to growth, size, and location. So once they matured, we had to basically gut the jungle and replant. I'm sure the soon to be jungle was an oversight the "Landscaper" didn't know would happen. The sod was about 3 different type of grasses and installed with holes between most of them (causing a safety hazard). And who places a lawn sprinkler head behind a fire hydrant? The same type of dreadful work was also done by their HVAC sub. Whitestone's warranty work, although performed, was only patch work and is now showing signs of needing repair again on a 3½ year old house. Although not all inclusive, the above review gives a sense of our unhappiness and our resoluteness not to use or recommend this builder or his sub-contractors.